Bali or Phuket for holiday

[abbby]

Would Bali or Phuket be a nicer place for holiday? Food, shopping, people...

[x9200]

Would Bali or Phuket be a nicer place for holiday? Food, shopping, people...

Are you the same person who created abbby user account in 2005?

[Pal]

Would Bali or Phuket be a nicer place for holiday? Food, shopping, people...

Are you the same person who created abbby user account in 2005?

Yes, same

[x9200]

Would Bali or Phuket be a nicer place for holiday? Food, shopping, people...

Are you the same person who created abbby user account in 2005?

Yes, same

Asking, because I found this question a bit weird for somebody who stays around for almost 15 years.

[Pal]

Guess abbby had never been to Bali or Phuket and wondering which is the better holiday destination.

[abbby]

Had always been to Bintan. Was one of my favourite places until my recent trip the place seemed to have aged and deteriorated. Not much of an upgrade/maintenance over the years. So I thought Phuket, Bali would be a better place..

[x9200]

Had always been to Bintan. Was one of my favourite places until my recent trip the place seemed to have aged and deteriorated. Not much of an upgrade/maintenance over the years. So I thought Phuket, Bali would be a better place..

Phuket I think most people chooses for beaches combined with the convenience of many cheap flights and the convenience of a pretty regular reasonably developed city (malls restaurants etc). But otherwise, nothing really special. My opinion of course.

Bali on the other hand (again, for me) has its very specific atmosphere. Each time I am there I hire a car and travel around, going through rice fields, terraces, paddles, practically all with these tiny Buddhist shrines...., and to the mountains, Ulun Danu Beratan lake temple, and many many other good spots. And it has good beaches too, especially if you avoid places like Kuta. Bali is a nice place to get spoiled and visit around at the same time.

Not sure about shopping. I was mostly interested in reasonably priced wine and beer In that respect there are some Tescos in Phuket - clear advantage over Bali (better choice and pricing).

You may also consider Tioman and Langkawi. Or Krabi. Or if you don't mind a bit more complicated traveling - Phi Phi.

[abbby]

Had always been to Bintan. Was one of my favourite places until my recent trip the place seemed to have aged and deteriorated. Not much of an upgrade/maintenance over the years. So I thought Phuket, Bali would be a better place..

Phuket I think most people chooses for beaches combined with the convenience of many cheap flights and the convenience of a pretty regular reasonably developed city (malls restaurants etc). But otherwise, nothing really special. My opinion of course.

Bali on the other hand (again, for me) has its very specific atmosphere. Each time I am there I hire a car and travel around, going through rice fields, terraces, paddles, practically all with these tiny Buddhist shrines...., and to the mountains, Ulun Danu Beratan lake temple, and many many other good spots. And it has good beaches too, especially if you avoid places like Kuta. Bali is a nice place to get spoiled and visit around at the same time.

Not sure about shopping. I was mostly interested in reasonably priced wine and beer In that respect there are some Tescos in Phuket - clear advantage over Bali (better choice and pricing).

You may also consider Tioman and Langkawi. Or Krabi. Or if you don't mind a bit more complicated traveling - Phi Phi.

Thanks for the great advice. Phuket and Langkawi sounds very interesting. Will google and find out more about Langkawi, have heard a lot about their pristine beaches.

[@ronGu@]

Just asking, which month is good to travel to any of this places?

[moritzr]

I have visited Phuket every year 3-4 times. Unfortunately, it has changed... not to good in my point of view as its just over crowded and constructions everywhere... The charm is gone. However, I did find a nice island called Koh Yao Yai and there is a very nice resort from Santhiya - Not the cheapest but for some days definitely worth it. I can not say much about Bali tho. Regards

[PNGMK]

Neither. Both are too crowded. I would recommend Penang instead.

[tripsnreefs]

bali is much more affordable and more activites to do

[sunnykids]

I have visited Phuket every year 3-4 times. Unfortunately, it has changed... not to good in my point of view as its just over crowded and constructions everywhere... The charm is gone. However, I did find a nice island called Koh Yao Yai and there is a very nice resort from Santhiya - Not the cheapest but for some days definitely worth it. I can not say much about Bali tho. Regards

I've been to both Bali and Phuket with my family in the past, but I find that Phuket has become over-commercialised and touristy in recent years Agree with @moritzr that the charm is gone. Not sure because I haven't been to Bali recently, but I think it's definitely a more charming and beautiful place, especially if you're going with the family. Try visiting the rice paddies; it's really beautiful.

You can also consider going to Yogyakarta. It's not as popular or well-known, but it's quite a nice city in Indonesia. It has beaches (including black sand beaches), and you can visit all sorts of tourist sites like Borobudur which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Food is good and cheaper than Bali and Bandung too. Really a nice underrated hidden gem, imo! Feel free to PM me if you'd like more info